毒
dú/tu³⁵/
The English word 'poison' is translated into Chinese as 毒 (dú). If unsure, use 毒. Wiktionary also lists 毒物 (dúwù) and 毒藥 / 毒药 (dúyào).
Meaning: substance harmful to a living organism (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 毒 | dú | /tu³⁵/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /tu²⁴/ (Mandarin, Xi'an, Sinological IPA) |
| 毒物 | dúwù | /tu³⁵ u⁵¹/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /tʊk̚² mɐt̚²/ (Cantonese, Guangzhou, Sinological IPA, Standard Cantonese, Hong Kong) |
| 毒藥 / 毒药 | dúyào |
In Chinese, the term for poison can function as a noun representing a harmful substance or as an adjective meaning 'toxic' or 'venomous'. When discussing whether food or fish is safe to eat, the phrase 没毒 is used to indicate that the item is non-toxic.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 毒药 literally translates to 'poisonous medicine'.
Which one should you use?
While 毒 is the general term for poison, toxic or venom, other forms are more specific. 毒物 refers more broadly to poisonous substances, such as chemicals or hazardous compounds found in nature. 毒药 specifically refers to a substance that is consumed or ingested.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
dú
Did you know?
- The character 毒 may have originally been a pictogram of a woman wearing a feathered ornament on her head, rather than a symbol for toxicity.
Examples in context
- 这鱼没毒。This fish is free from poison.This sentence uses 毒 to describe a fish that is free from poison.Tatoeba #2031423 by ydcok, translation #59688 by shekitten
- 他误服了毒药。He took poison by mistake.This sentence uses 毒 to describe someone who took poison by mistake.Tatoeba #335226 by fucongcong, translation #292891 by CK
- 这条鱼没有毒。There's no poison in this fish.This sentence uses 毒 to state that there is no poison in a fish.Tatoeba #336955 by fucongcong, translation #527302 by FeuDRenais
- 他因为吸食毒品而入狱了。（Tā yīnwèi xīshí dúpǐn ér rùyù le.）He was imprisoned for using drugs.
- 危险化学品是有毒物质，请小心使用。（Wēixiǎn huàxuépǐn shì yǒu dú wùzhí, qǐng xiǎoxīn shǐyòng.）Hazardous chemicals are toxic substances, please use them with caution.
- 这个药可能是毒药，你最好别吃。（Zhège yào kěnéng shì dúyào, nǐ zuìhǎo bié chī.）This medicine might be poisonous, you better not take it.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Haoran and Jiayi are hiking in a forest.
- 浩然 Haoran佳怡，别碰那朵花。Jiāyí, bié pèng nà duǒ huā.Jiayi, don't touch that flower.
- 佳怡 Jiayi为什么？它看起来很漂亮。Wèishéme? Tā kàn qǐlái hěn piàoliang.Why? It looks very beautiful.
- 浩然 Haoran我听说这种花有毒。Wǒ tīngshuō zhè zhǒng huā yǒu dú.I heard this flower is poisonous.
- 佳怡 Jiayi谢谢你提醒我。Xièxiè nǐ tíxǐng wǒ.Thank you for reminding me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “poison” translations and entries 毒, 毒物, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 毒, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
